Meet the team at Harshman Services

Meet the Team at Harshman Services

All of our team members are Christians—most of us Eastern Orthodox Christians—though that’s not a requirement for being an independent contractor for this company. Most of us live with disabilities and have homeschooled our children.

Jennifer Harshman, owner, writing-and-publishing expert

Age three was a big year for Jennifer Harshman. That year, she taught herself to read and write, and hasn’t stopped since. She’s read more than 17,300 books, and because she reads more than 10 million words a year, adds to that figure almost daily. Jennifer bore the label “twice exceptional” along with severe abuse, but has brought good out of it all. Combining these factors with such an immense number of books read gives her a unique ability to be the bridge between writers and readers. She coaches and consults with authors to make their dreams come true and share their messages. Jennifer began editing professionally in 1992, has edited tens of thousands of pages, and now serves as a writing-and-publishing expert for publishers and independent authors alike.

Joel Michael Harshman, IT manager

Child author Joel Michael Harshman began reading at age four. He moved to reading Shakespeare and playing chess at age seven, and wrote his first book when he was nine years old. Homeschooling gives him opportunities other children don’t have, partly because he has a writing-and-publishing expert for a mother/teacher. Joel Michael doesn’t let being on the autism spectrum keep him from being successful. Interested in IT and the writing/publishing field, he will eventually take over leadership of the family business.

Jannette Isaacson, PR assistant

Jannette Isaacson is a homeschooling mom of four. She taught herself to read before she entered school. Her parents could never keep enough books for her, so she was very happy when they moved just a block from a library. She began writing stories in second grade. While Jannette wrote many stories, good and bad, she learned editing skills from some really good teachers. She put her skills to use in college and helped write resumes and job applications for seniors. Now Jannette helps her kids write their stories. Contracting for Harshman Services came about naturally as she talked with longtime friend Jennifer Harshman about writing and editing. Jannette creates graphics for our social media, serves as an author liaison, and handles other things as needed.

Renee Wohlfarth, assistant project manager

Renee’s number-one job for Harshman Services is to keep Jennifer’s head on straight. That includes helping with project management: planning what books will be done when, and by whom.

Seraphim Hanisch, outliner and organizer

Seraphim learned how to read and write long before he went to school. By first grade, he was in significant trouble because he read like an adult, whereas the other kids were stumbling over how to sound out “dog.” For a time, Seraphim read book after book, mostly fiction. As an adult, he began to read more non-fiction, including history and theology. On occasion, he gives presentations and speeches both in front of groups and on the radio. For him, the spoken and written word is a great treasure, and he’s very concerned about maintaining and growing the beauty that is possible in the English language. He brings organization to any projects that need it.

Scarlett Archuleta, developomental editor—photo and bio to come

Nancy Doublin, editor

A Navy brat, Nancy spent her early years moving often, but never anywhere exciting. After eight elementary schools and four high schools, her family finally settled in Yuma, AZ. Ten years later, she found herself in Richland, Washington, where she lived for three decades and raised her only child. In 2016, Nancy moved to Sequim, WA, to be near her family. She’s excited to be in a new place, with a new career writing internet content, and working with authors to help make their writing the best it can be.

Etta Holmes, editor

Etta Holmes is a regional operations director for an education company based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and she has been writing for over 30 years. She received her BA in English from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where she taught Freshman Composition as a TA during a brief stint in graduate school. Etta has written articles for a college newspaper, short stories, and poems; and she has edited educational activities and executive reports. Etta has also written and edited a variety of business documents, including executive summaries and training presentations. She currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina.

Kristina Roth, editor

Books and words have been an integral part of Kristina Roth’s life since childhood. She is honored to have joined Harshman Services as a copy editor. She considers it a privilege to come alongside authors in their literary journeys. Kristina holds a bachelor’s and master’s in English and has been involved with professional writing and editing since her first post-college job at a textbook-publishing company. Her essays, poems, photographs, and artwork have appeared in a number of books and magazines. Kristina recently returned to the Black Hills of South Dakota after many years in California and Texas. Her favorite job to date is mothering her funny, creative young son.

Dr. Cole Marie Roccas, copy editor

As a freelance editor and writing consultant, Dr. Nicole Roccas edits academic and other non-fiction writing and provides coaching services for writers of all genres. Nicole serves as vice chair of the Toronto branch of Editors Canada. In addition to editing and consulting, Nicole blogs and podcasts abou t the theology of time and is an adjunct professor at the Orthodox School of Theology (Trinity College, Toronto).

Bonnie Opyoke, editor

Bonnie grew up writing novels late into the night, and those late-night muses catapulted her into working as a photojournalist at the age of fifteen. By the time she reached college, Bonnie was writing and taking pictures of former presidents, politicians, demonstrations, and gangsters. She currently is the editor and owner of New Martyr Magazine, an international Orthodox children’s magazine, which is filled with stories, crafts, puzzles, photographs, and art submissions from children all around the world. She is a mother of two, deacon’s wife, editor, photographer, continued dreamer, professional to-do-list juggler, and imaginative play master for two little ones.

Adriane Adams, proofreader

Adriane Adams is a published children’s book author who started proofreading and copy editing in 2000. During her college studies, she worked as an English and ESL tutor, often assisting university students with their writing assignments and research papers. She also completed courses in Creative Writing and Advanced Grammar & Usage in graduate school, which she has put to good use. Adriane is glad to be a part of the team at Harshman Services, because it allows her to use her knowledge and skills to help others without compromising her desire to educate her children at home.

Tammy Foster, test reader (AKA Eagle Eye)

Tammy Foster is a believer in Christ, a wife, and a home-educating mother of two. She loves to cook but dislikes making dinner, and has eclectic tastes in music and reading. She thoroughly enjoys learning new things.

Drawing on multiple aspects from her experience in running a small business for 15 years, her philosophy: Find out what your clients need and/or want, and provide that. Work with them to discover and resolve any issues or concerns. Help them improve. Great customer care serves your clients and keeps them YOUR clients. Regarding editing, help your author to effectively communicate their message, thoughts, ideas, and dreams to their readers.

Ancient Faith Publishing uses Harshman Services.

Author and ghostwriter Nick Pavlidis consults Harshman Services regarding all of his writing.

Jennifer Harshman has been featured as a writing and publishing professional who helps women live their dreams.

Peter Shankman called Jennifer Harshman a “Super Editor” who gets it done better and faster than normal.

Jennifer Harshman is Lead Editor at Free Agent Press, and serves other publishers as well. She also coaches authors through the entire process here at HarshmanServices.com